Christie's ex-Port Authority execs hire lawyers

Two officials who recently resigned from the Port Authority amid questions about the closings of local-access lanes to the George Washington Bridge are being represented by prominent defense lawyers.

Former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni and David Wildstein, the former director of interstate projects — both appointed by Governor Christie — were among seven agency officials initially ordered to turn over documents today to the Assembly transportation committee. But since retaining lawyers, they have been granted an extension until Monday.

The lawyers, Michael Himmel and Alan Zegas sent the committee letters on Tuesday, copies of which were obtained by The Record, stating that they had been retained to represent Baroni and Wildstein, respectively, and requesting additional time to respond to the subpoenas.

Because the subpoenas involve Baroni and Wildstein’s work at the bi-state agency, it raises a question about whether the Port Authority will be paying for their legal representation — something agency officials would not discuss on Thursday.

“It’s a personnel matter,” said an agency spokesman, Chris Valens. “It’s our policy not to comment.”

Himmel and Zegas did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment.

Both are well-known defense lawyers. Himmel is chairman of the white-collar criminal defense practice at the New York firm of Lowenstein Sandler.

Zegas, who has his own practice in Chatham, has represented prominent clients, including former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who was convicted after a federal corruption investigation.

Himmel asked to put off a response until Jan. 9, which committee Chairman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, called “unreasonable.” Zegas also requested additional time but did not specify a date.

Wisniewski did, however, give them a few extra days.

“This is a reasonable courtesy extended to these newly hired criminal attorneys, but this is all the time I will allow,” he said.

He said the five other Port Authority officials must still turn over documents today.

Valens said the agency was working to comply.

At issue is the closing of two access lanes to the bridge in Fort Lee, which caused gridlock for several days in September.

Baroni testified before the Assembly committee that the closings were part of a traffic study. But the authority’s executive director, Patrick Foye, a New York appointee, said he was unaware of any such study.

Some Democrats have argued that the closings were orchestrated by Baroni and Wildstein as political retribution against Fort Lee’s mayor for not endorsing the Republican governor’s re-election bid.

Christie's ex-Port Authority execs hire lawyers

Two officials who recently resigned from the Port Authority amid questions about the closings of local-access lanes to the George Washington Bridge are being represented by prominent defense lawyers.

Former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni and David Wildstein, the former director of interstate projects — both appointed by Governor Christie — were among seven agency officials initially ordered to turn over documents today to the Assembly transportation committee. But since retaining lawyers, they have been granted an extension until Monday.

The lawyers, Michael Himmel and Alan Zegas sent the committee letters on Tuesday, copies of which were obtained by The Record, stating that they had been retained to represent Baroni and Wildstein, respectively, and requesting additional time to respond to the subpoenas.

Because the subpoenas involve Baroni and Wildstein’s work at the bi-state agency, it raises a question about whether the Port Authority will be paying for their legal representation — something agency officials would not discuss on Thursday.

“It’s a personnel matter,” said an agency spokesman, Chris Valens. “It’s our policy not to comment.”

Himmel and Zegas did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment.

Both are well-known defense lawyers. Himmel is chairman of the white-collar criminal defense practice at the New York firm of Lowenstein Sandler.

Zegas, who has his own practice in Chatham, has represented prominent clients, including former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who was convicted after a federal corruption investigation.

Himmel asked to put off a response until Jan. 9, which committee Chairman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, called “unreasonable.” Zegas also requested additional time but did not specify a date.

Wisniewski did, however, give them a few extra days.

“This is a reasonable courtesy extended to these newly hired criminal attorneys, but this is all the time I will allow,” he said.

He said the five other Port Authority officials must still turn over documents today.

Valens said the agency was working to comply.

At issue is the closing of two access lanes to the bridge in Fort Lee, which caused gridlock for several days in September.

Baroni testified before the Assembly committee that the closings were part of a traffic study. But the authority’s executive director, Patrick Foye, a New York appointee, said he was unaware of any such study.

Some Democrats have argued that the closings were orchestrated by Baroni and Wildstein as political retribution against Fort Lee’s mayor for not endorsing the Republican governor’s re-election bid.